The 2025 NFL Draft is just days away, football fans.
One of the most exciting times of the year is upon us, and the Baltimore Ravens are one of the teams finalizing their draft boards. The Ravens always seem to make the most out of their draft picks, and it will be interesting to see if the team can make the most of their picks in 2025 as well.
The first pick the Ravens are slated to have is No. 27 in the first round. There are several directions the team could go, with most mock drafts having the team select either an offensive lineman or a defender.
Today, we’re going to do a seven-round mock draft using Pro Football Network’s simulator. Let’s get in to it!
Round 2, Pick 35: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State – *TRADE*
Titans get: No. 27 pick
Ravens get: No. 35 pick, 2026 second-round pick
The Ravens see how the board is falling and decide to trade down. The Titans are interested in moving up, and the Ravens get an extra second-rounder next year just for moving back eight spots.
Once moving back, the Ravens take guard Donovan Jackson, who the team might have considered at No. 27. Jackson is a solid blocker who excelled as both a run-blocker and pass-protector. The guard had to move to tackle due to injuries in 2024 and impressed at that position as well.
Jackson immediately fills in at the guard spot vacated by Patrick Mekari.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team): “Ohio State Buckeyes offensive guard Donovan Jackson projects as a budding offensive guard at the pro level. Jackson has apparent physical ability and has flashed high level moments, although he could stand to better unlock the fullest extent of his abilities with consistency via punch timing & placement, footwork lapses, and the need for better awareness of schemed rushers in pass protection.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Round 2, Pick 62: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss – *TRADE*
Bills get: No. 59 pick, No. 212 pick
Ravens get: No. 62 pick, 2026 fourth-round pick
Another trade down comes in round two as the Ravens move back three spots and add a future fourth-rounder for doing so. With the No. 62 pick, the Ravens snatch edge-rusher Princely Umanmielen, who excelled on the edge for both Florida and Ole Miss in college.
The Ravens have Kyle Van Noy penciled in to start on the edge, and relying on the 34-year-old to collect double-digit sacks again probably isn’t smart. Umanmielen has a relentless motor and flies off the edge past tackles. Baltimore gets another starting-caliber pass-rusher to add to their defense.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team): “Ole Miss Rebels edge defender Princely Umanmielen is a long, twitchy speed rusher who, upon entering the NFL, has the ability to quickly impact opposing passing games. Umanmielen has an effective first step, and it will be challenging for many offensive tackles to frame on the edge. He’s shown growth and took an added step in his game upon transferring from Florida to Ole Miss, where he played more in space and could defeat angles with his speed and fluidity turning the corner. Umanmielen has room to grow with his run defending, block deconstruction skills, and upper-body power but should be considered a viable long and late-down pass rusher as a rookie.”
Round 3, Pick 91: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
In the third round, the Ravens add another solid defender in linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. Knight was a tackling machine in college and held his own in pass coverage. The linebacker isn’t afraid of contact and would fit in nicely alongside Trenton Simpson and Roquan Smith.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Passionate linebacker with great size, good instincts and a feel for how to play the position. Knight is a fluid athlete with average pursuit speed and short-area burst. He uses his eyes and instincts to diagnose quickly and he maneuvers around bodies like a running back. He’s adept at slipping blocks and rarely allows blockers to stick and sustain on the second level. He’s aware and productive in zone but could struggle to stay connected in man coverage. He’s not a twitchy mover but knows how to play the game and has a chance to play on all three downs. Knight’s field demeanor and football character should seal the deal as a future starter at inside ‘backer.”
Round 4, Pick 129: R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson
Sticking on the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens add Clemson defensive back R.J. Mickens. Mickens was a multi-year starter at Clemson and was praised for his toughness and leadership. Mickens needs to improve in coverage, but he’s a sure tackler and a solid run defender. The Ravens get depth behind Ar’Darius Washington and Kyle Hamilton.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Mickens has a desirable blend of size and length for his move to the pros. The son of a former NFL cornerback, he plays like a pro with good pre-snap anticipation and post-snap instincts. His field awareness is a plus in zone coverage, but he’s not sudden or fast, so technique and timing will be crucial for man-cover success. His ability to alter pursuit angles and break down in space as a tackler help him stand out against others in this class. He’s technically sound as a wrap-up tackler but his stopping power is fairly average. Mickens answered questions about his speed at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.49-second 40-yard dash), so his consistency in reading and responding to the play should not be diminished.”
Round 4, Pick 136: Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
Tommi Hill is a player who likely would be drafted higher if not for an injury-shortened 2024 season. Still, the wide receiver-turned-cornerback impressed at Nebraska against stiff competition. Hill has the size to stick on the boundary and the speed to keep up with the quick AFC North receivers.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “A big cornerback with impressive athletic traits, Hill suffered through plantar fasciitis issues in 2024. He has good top-end speed but sticky transitions and average short-area burst, which limits his man-cover effectiveness. He plays with excellent route awareness in zone, with the ball skills and length to squeeze and close throwing windows around him. A heavy dose of 2023 tape is necessary to get the best feel for Hill, but he’s always been reliable in run support. Hill projects as a zone corner with good backup potential and a chance to climb the ranks with more experience.”
Round 5, Pick 164: Jake Briningstool, TE, Clemson – *TRADE*
Eagles receive: No. 176, No. 210
Ravens receive: No. 164
The Ravens have a surplus of late-round picks and decide to package a couple to move up and take an intriguing pass-catcher. Jake Briningstool was productive at Clemson, catching 127 passes for 1,380 yards and 17 touchdowns in 48 games. The tight end would provide depth in case Mark Andrews is traded.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team): “Clemson Tigers tight end Jake Briningstool offers some likable qualities that should afford him the opportunity to develop his game throughout the course of his rookie contract. Briningstool is a smooth mover with good separation quickness from the slot as a route runner. His receiving potential is notable, and he is a player who has won down the field and with the ball in his hands. Still, there are a number of size and stature thresholds teams will struggle with on Briningstool’s resume, making him a bit of an outlier if he ultimately becomes an NFL starter.”
Round 6, Pick 183: Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane
In the sixth round, the Ravens take Caleb Ransaw from Tulane. Ransaw isn’t the best in coverage and didn’t play against the best competition, but he really impresses as a run defender and is a sure tackler. Ransaw is a developmental corner who can help on special teams as a rookie and possibly develop further eventually.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team): “Tulane Green Wave cornerback Caleb Ransaw projects as a starting nickel defender at the NFL level. This is an elite-caliber athlete with excellent tackling ability and appeal in man and zone coverage assignments. Ransaw is missing a few things that could potentially help create a more buzzy profile, but any team looking for coverage-diverse talent who can fit the run and potentially develop into a feisty press-man defender would be wise to investigate Ransaw’s fit for their defense.”
Round 6, Pick 203: Jalen Rivers, OL, Miami (FL)
Jalen Rivers is a late-round developmental offensive lineman who could end up being a steal. Rivers has prototypical NFL tackle size and arm length and does his best work in pass protection. The only negative on Rivers is his lengthy injury history in college. If healthy, Rivers could end up being a reliable swing tackle.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team): “Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jalen Rivers projects as a sufficient level starter at the NFL level. Rivers would be best implemented in a between-the-tackles, downhill-oriented run scheme as an interior OL, where his dense build and power at the point of attack could help create vertical displacement. Rivers’ experience at tackle is a nice emergency tool to have in the bag, but his foot speed and lateral mobility would be best implemented in tighter spaces. Rivers is a well-tenured starter who plays with good discipline and should set a sufficient floor for an NFL team on the interior.”
Round 7, Pick 243: Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
To finish things off, the Ravens take a developmental wide receiver in Ja’Corey Brooks. Brooks impressed at both Alabama and Louisville, and has the size to make an impact as an outside wide receiver at the next level. Brooks needs to get better at creating separation and running routes, but he has the raw talent to become something.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Brooks posted a career year at Louisville in 2024 after three seasons at Alabama. He has good size and average speed. He’s a decent athlete with the length and ball skills to have success downfield. He’s not going to outrun many NFL corners on a sprint and he’s too tight-hipped to uncover with his route-running, which is one reason for so many contested catches. The touchdown production and yards per catch are favorable, but Brooks might have to fight for a back-end spot on a roster.”
